LAHORE: Mohammad Haris is likely to replace Mohammad Rizwan, who could be rested due to a back injury, for the third T20I against New Zealand on Monday in Lahore.
However, sources added that Rizwan's recovery will continue to be assessed before taking the final decision on his availability for today's match.
Rizwan went off the field in the seventh over of New Zealand’s run-chase, during the second T20I on Saturday, with substitute Haris taking over the glovework duties.
“Rizwan is feeling better, perhaps a one-game rest for him and he will be back in the side,” Pakistan captain Azam said after the match.
It must be noted that Pakistan won the second T20I by 38 runs courtesy Azam’s brilliant century and pacer Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul.
Chasing a target of 193 runs, the Kiwis were restricted to 154-7 in 20 overs.
The home side leads the series 2-0 bearing in mind the fact that they won the first T20I on Friday by 88 runs at the same venue.
Eight Kiwis are missing because of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and skipper Kane Williamson has a bad knee injury, leaving the captaincy to batsman Tom Latham — and providing plenty of opportunity for newcomers to shine.
Pakistan and New Zealand will also meet in five one-day internationals after the five-match T20 series, honing preparations for this year´s 50-over World Cup in India.
The tour comes as something of compensation for New Zealand pulling out of their visit to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, citing security concerns.
The Black Caps played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.